More events information: VSA Minnesota is here. The website has a large calendar at in the upper right hand corner of its home page. For information on galleries and theater performances around the state join the Access to Performing Arts email list at [email protected] or call VSA Minnesota, 612-332-3888 or statewide 800-801-3883 (voice/TTY). To hear a weekly listing of accessible performances, call 612-332-3888 or 800-801-3883. Another web events listing is http://c2net.org (c2: caption coalition, inc.), which does most of the captioned shows across the country. Facebook is another way to connect with performances. Sign up to connect with Audio Description Across Minnesota. Connect with ASL Interpreted and Captioned Performances across Minnesota on Facebook.

 

OPEN THE DOOR TO EDUCATION

Help adults reach their educational goals and earn their GED. Tutor, teach or assist in a classroom with the Minnesota Literacy Council. Give just 2-3 hours a week and help people expand their opportunities and change their lives through education. The Council provides training and support and accommodations for volunteers with disabilities. FFI: Allison, 651-251-9110, [email protected], or at their website.

 

MINNESOTA AUTISM CONFERENCE

Registration is open for the 23rd Annual Minnesota Autism Conference, April 25-28, at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Minneapolis – Park Place, 1500 Park Place Blvd., Mpls. Autism Society of Minnesota organizes the event, offering opportunities for experts, parents, caregivers, educators, paraprofessionals, mental health professionals, service providers and individuals on the spectrum to connect, collaborate, advocate and educate. The conference features four keynote speakers: “Autism Daddy Frank Campagna; Jed Baker, PhD; Stephen Shore, PhD; and Leah Kuypers MA Ed, OTR/L. More than 30 breakout sessions are also offered. The conference begins with an exciting family celebration featuring Julia, the newest Sesame Street Muppet, a character who was created to increase awareness and understanding of autism. Costs and details are online. FFI: www.ausm.org

 

SAVE THE DATE FOR MNCCD

Minnesota Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities hosts its annual health and wellness conference, conference, Healthy Independent Living for People with Disabilities Tue, Sept. 25 at St. Mary’s Greek Orthodox Church, Mpls. Matthew Sanford is keynote speaker. This is the second year for the conference. FFI: www.mnccd.org

 

FREE EYE EXAMS FOR ANIMALS

Service and working animals can get free eye exams through an annual exam program in May, organized by the American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists ACVO and StokesRx. The program has been offered for 11 years and has helped almost 60,000 animals. Registration opens Sun, April 1 and ends Mon, April 30. The appointments fill up quickly. The goal for the hundreds of volunteers is to provide as many exams as possible. Guide, disability assistance, detection, military, search and rescue, and registered therapy animals are eligible. Register to determine eligibility and to see what is offered in the region. FFI: www.ACVOeyeexam.org

 

QPR CLASS IS OFFERED

A free, one-hour presentation sponsored by NAMI Minnesota (National Alliance on Mental Illness) that covers the three steps anyone can learn to help prevent suicide – Question, Persuade and Refer. Just like CPR, QPR is an emergency response to someone in crisis and can save lives. It is the most widely taught gatekeeper training program in the United States, and more than one million adults have been trained in classroom settings in more than 48 states. Registration is required. Class is 7-8 p.m. Mon, March 26 at in St. Paul at Woodland Hills Church, 1740 Van Dyke St., St. Paul. FFI: Hayley, 651-645-2948 x198, “classes” at namihelps.org

 

BE A ‘HANDIHAM’

The Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute’s Handiham Program connects people with vision loss or physical disability with the challenging, exciting and rewarding world of ham radio. Radio Talking Book is helping to promote the program. Ham radio is a fun hobby and can connect people from all over the world. FFI: 1-866-426-3442, www.handiham.org

 

TECH FOR GIRLS

PACER Center presents Tech for Girls Club for middle school girls with disabilities 10-11:30 a.m. Sat, April 21 at PACER, 8161 Normandale Blvd., Bloomington. Making Music with Water allows girls to ill turn glasses of water into music machines using MakeyMakey kits. They will learn about circuits and wiring, and will become musicians for a day. An opportunity to have fun with science, technology, engineering, and math. All skill levels are welcome. Free but participants must preregister. FFI: PACER, 952-838-9000, 800-537-2237, www.pacer.org

 

VOLUNTEER READERS SOUGHT

Volunteers are a valuable resource at Radio Talking Book, broadcasting local news and information programs to blind and print-impaired listeners from sites in Duluth, Fergus Falls, Grand Rapids, Mankato, Rochester, St. Cloud and the Communication Center in St. Paul. The goal is to provide accurate and timely information to our thousands of listeners throughout Minnesota and across the nation. Volunteers are needed to provide this important service. FFI: Roberta Kitlinski, 651-539-1423

 

AUTISM CAREGIVERS’ SUPPORT

Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) announces a new free resource for caregivers and parents. The Caregivers of Kids with Autism Support Group provides a space for parents and caregivers of children with autism ages 4-21 to come together, discuss challenges, share solutions and form relationships with families in similar situations. Many families report feeling alone or isolated, and support groups allow caregivers to make meaningful connections. Meeting at 10:30 a.m.-noon on the second Sat of each month at AuSM, 2380 Wycliff Street #102, St. Paul, and led by a therapist. FFI: www.ausm.org

 

PARKINSON’S SUPPORT GROUP

The St. Cloud Area Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meets 1-2:30 p.m. the third Mon of each month at ILICIL Independent Lifestyles, 215 N. Benton Drive, St. Cloud. Free. Meetings are open to those diagnosed with Parkinson’s, their families, caregivers and the general public. The group provides support, education, and awareness about the disease. FFI: 320-529-9000

 

MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT OFFERED

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Minnesota offers more than 300 free educational classes statewide each year, along with help in navigating the mental health system. NAMI also has more than 70 free support groups for people living with a mental illness and their families. NAMI Minnesota offers more than 300 free educational classes statewide each year, along with help in navigating the mental health system. In the Twin Cities NAMI has about two dozen family support groups, more than 20 support groups for people living with a mental illness, anxiety support groups, groups for veterans and other groups. Led by trained facilitators, groups provide help and support. Parent resource groups are facilitated by a parent who has a child with a mental illness and who has been trained to lead support groups.  A full calendar of all events is offered online. FFI: 651-645-2948, www.namihelps.org

 

VISION LOSS GROUP OFFERS ACTIVITIES

Vision Loss Resources provides free and low-cost activities in the Twin Cities for people who are blind or visually impaired. Life skills classes for those with low vision; card games, craft classes, book clubs, walking groups, dinners out, special outings and technology classes are among the offerings. Participants need to RVSP to participate, at least three working days prior to an event. The calendar is also available on the Vision Loss Resources website and as a printable large-print PDF document for those who wish to print their own or additional copies. FFI: RSVP hotline, 612-843-3439; activity line and audio calendar, 612-253-5155, www.visionlossresources.org

 

MCIL HOSTS CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES

The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living provides many life skills classes as well as fun outings and events for people with disabilities. MCIL is at 530 N. Robert Street, St Paul and most activities are there or start there. Classes and events are listed on the website, www.mcil-mn.org. Click on “Classes Groups and Sessions” for updated information or to print their calendar. Please give two weeks’ notice if the alternative format or other accommodations are needed. Events are free, accessible and mostly scent-free. FFI: 651-603-2030

 

ICICIL OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES

ICICIL Independent Lifestyles, 215 N. Benton Drive, St. Cloud, offers a number of classes, events and other opportunities for Minnesotans with disabilities in central Minnesota. The center offers its own programming and hosts, other groups. One group it hosts is the St. Cloud Area Parkinson’s Disease Support Group meets 1-2:30 p.m. the third Mon of each month. The center has a full schedule of its own activities including support groups, classes and more. FFI: 320-267-7717

 

MCIL HOSTS CLASSES AND ACTIVITIES

The Metropolitan Center for Independent Living provides many life skills classes as well as fun outings and events for people with disabilities. MCIL is at 530 N. Robert Street, St Paul and most activities are there or start there. Classes and events are listed on the website, www.mcil-mn.org. Click on “Classes Groups and Sessions” for updated information or to print their calendar. Please give two weeks’ notice if the alternative format or other accommodations are needed. Events are free, accessible and mostly scent-free. FFI: 651-603-2030

 

ADULT SUPPORT GROUPS OFFERED

AuSM offers free support groups for adults with autism spectrum disorder. Groups include those for adult family members, women with autism spectrum disorders and independent adults with autism. Check the website for upcoming groups. Groups meet at the AuSM offices at 2380 Wycliff St. FFI: 651-647-1083 ext. 10, www.ausm.org

 

MAN AND WOMAN AT (ART)WORK

Self-taught Midwest Special Services artists Dan Stallworth and Tiranke Sidime present their work at the Show Art Gallery, 346 N. Sibley St., Lowertown St. Paul through Sun, March 25. AD offered 10-11 a.m. Sun, March 18. Gallery hours are Thu-Fri, 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat-Sun. Closed Mon-Wed. Free. FFI: 651-419-8022, www.theshowgallerylowertown.org

 

TO REALLY SEE: EXPLORING THE MEDICATION-TAKING EXPERIENCE THROUGH ART

Avivo ArtWorks, formerly Spectrum, presents a show by artists with mental illness, at University of Minnesota Bio-Medical Library, 2nd floor, Diehl Hall, 505 Essex St. SE, Mpls. The exhibition is a project curated by Jes Reyes, the coordinator of Avivo’s ArtWorks program, and co-organized by Paul Ranelli, a professor of Social Pharmacy at the U of M College of Pharmacy. Exhibiting artists include: Ashley Adams, Teresa Audet, Cecile Bellamy, Douglas Blue, Andrew Braunberger, Jennifer N. Campbell, John Casey, Kate Clark, Christi Furnas, Peter F. Hinze, KaTa, Kandace Krause, Sam Larom, Gary Melquist, Photovoice participants, Michaela Rachor, Holly Rapoport, Anne South, Julia C. Spencer, Heather Spielman, Shining Starr, Tobias, Jessica Ward and Roger Williamson. Open until April 30. Free. FFI: 612-752-8242, [email protected]